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Lethal Service - Quick Guide - Pressure Vessel Engineering
Lethal Service - Quick Guide - Pressure Vessel Engineering
Lethal Service - Quick Guide - Pressure Vessel Engineering
Introduction
Requirements for lethal service are scattered through VIII-1, the code cases and the interpretations. ASME VIII-1 section UW-2 has
most of the requirements for lethal service. Two definitions of lethal service are provided in UW-2. The second definition is also
duplicated in the end notes:
[A] vessel is to contain uids of such a nature that a very small amount mixed or unmixed with air is dangerous to life
when inhaled[.]
By “lethal substances” are meant poisonous gases or liquids of such a nature that a very small amount of the gas or of
the vapour of the liquid mixed or unmixed with air is dangerous to-life when inhaled. For purposes of this Division, this
class includes substances of this nature which are stored under pressure or may generate a pressure if stored in a
closed vessel.
It is up to the user to determine if a service is lethal. We at Pressure Vessel Engineering do not determine if the vessel service is lethal (but
we might have opinions based on previous jobs).
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When it has been determined that a vessel is in Lethal Service, some of the following code sections will apply. Other code sections
might also be required. (List last updated June 16 2015 based on the ASME 2013 VIII-1 code edition.)
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Appendix 7-1, 7-5 – Steel casting examination for 100% quality factor
Appendix 9-8 – if the jacket does not carry lethal substances, lethal service restrictions do not apply to it
Appendix 17-2(a) – Dimple jackets will not contain lethal substances
Appendix 35-3(c) & 35-7(d) – Mass production rules
Appendix W Table W-3 – Filing out the U forms
Appendix KK (note 12) – Filling out User Design Requirements forms
Appendix NN Table NN-6-5 – User or designated again determines if the contents are lethal
End notes 65 – Definition of lethal service
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Special lap joint stub end for lethal service – see also Fig All partial penetration nozzles are prohibited
UW-13.3 and Fig 2-4(5) and (6)
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Code Cases
The following Code Cases refer to lethal service for VIII-1 vessels (2013 edition):
1750-20(g) – A126 not to be used for PRVs, or rupture disks.
2249 – Furnace Brazing
2318 – slip on flanges in lethal service
2321-1 PWHT of P4 and P5A materials
2324 – Ultrasonic inspection
2334 – single fillet lap joint tubesheet to shell connection
2346-1 & 2537 – Alternative rules for SE and F&D head to shell attachment
2369 – Testing of covers separate from vessels
2377 – RT of SA-612 steel
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Interpretations
With interpretations now available on line at cstools.asme.org/Interpretation/SearchInterpretation.cfm it is now easier to find relevant and up to
date interpretations. A search for “BPV Section VIII Div 1” keyword: “lethal” returns many records. The comments on the most
interesting lethal service interpretations are listed below. Refer to the actual interpretations for the full text.
VIII-1-01-118 and VIII-1-83-77R – ERW pipe may only be used if the long seam is radiographed
VIII-82-65 – volumetric examination of category D joints is not always required
VIII-1-01-42 and VIII-1-04-48 – cone >30° and and corner joints not permitted
VIII-1-86-84 and VIII-1-95-138 – prohibited flange attachments – Fig UW-13.2(m) and Fig 2-4 sketches (7), (8), (8a), (8b), and (9)
VIII-1-92-112 – full radiography of category C and D butt welds is required except for UW-11(a)(4)
VIII-1-92-194 – full penetration angle joints are not permitted
VIII-1-92-211 – Fig UW-13.2 attachments are not permissible
VIII-1-98-113 – permissible repad and flange pad arrangements
VIII-1-98-23 – Fig UW-16.1 (a) and (c) are permissible nozzle attachments, others are not discussed
VIII-77-62 – “It is the intent of Section VIII, Division 1 that Category B and C butt welds in nozzles and communicating chambers that neither
exceed 10 in. nominal pipe size or 1-1/8 wall thickness are excluded from the provisions of radiography, even though the vessel is in lethal
service. This overrides the provisions of UW-2(a).”
VIII-80-02 – do not use corner joints from Fig UW-13.2 – redesign to create butt joints that can be radiographed
VIII-80-111 – acceptable lap joint flanges include Fig. 2-4(1) and Fig. UW-13.3 and Fig. 2-4(5) and (6)
rec 15-634 – PWHT and cladding, see also 14-1910
rec 15-1154 – Full RT does not include the reinforcing rings per UG-29
rec 15-1264 – welding of non-round vessels
rec 15-1288 – lethal and non-lethal sections of heat exchangers per UW-2(a)(3)
rec 16-32 – UG-25(e) telltale holes in the shell are not the same as UG-37(g) telltale holes in repads
rec 16-39 – Fig 1-6(d) is category C
rec 16-72 – clarification on RT-4 and UG-116(e)(4)
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PTB-4
“ASME Section VIII – Division 1 Example Problem Manual” PTB-4-2013 provides illustrative example for the use of VIII-1 rules.
E7.1 – RT-1 radiography on a vessel to meet the requirements of lethal service. Required radiography to meet RT-1 and the appropriate weld
efficiencies are illustrated and commented on. The sample illustrates items like sumps and nozzles that can be exempt from radiography based
on size and still maintain the RT-1 rating for the vessel.
E4.16.1 and E4.16.2 – maximum allowed flange bolt spacing for lethal service per App 2-5(d)
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational uses only. Only ASME can make code interpretations.
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